If you look at my forum I listed it works just fine. The conversation flows so quickly there that one topic never stays on the front page long at all. My forum almost operates more like a chat room than a forum. Folks usually put most of their post in the topic subject and folks that reply do the same. It's been operating that way since the 90s.
I currently use Phorum but since development seems to have stopped I have been looking for a replacement for a while. When I read your features list and saw threaded views I thought I'd give it a shot. Looks like I need to keep looking though. Just wish I hadn't dropped over $100 for something I won't be able to use.
